Gilat

Coordinates: 31°19′43″N 34°39′0″E / 31.32861°N 34.65000°E / 31.32861; 34.65000
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Gilat
גִּילַת
Gilat is located in Northwest Negev region of Israel
Gilat
Gilat
Coordinates: 31°19′43″N 34°39′0″E / 31.32861°N 34.65000°E / 31.32861; 34.65000
CountryIsrael
DistrictSouthern
CouncilMerhavim
AffiliationMoshavim Movement
Founded1949
Founded byTunisian Jews
Population
 (2022)[1]
1,551

Gilat (Hebrew: גִּילַת, lit.'Joy') is a moshav in southern Israel. Located in the western Negev desert between Beersheba and Ofakim, it falls under the jurisdiction of Merhavim Regional Council. In 2022 it had a population of 1,551.[1]

History[edit]

The moshav was founded in 1949 by Jewish refugees from an Arab country, Tunisia. Like the names of two other moshavim (Tifrah, Ranen) in the area its name was taken[2] from the Book of Isaiah 35:2:

(The desert,) it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing.

Notable residents include Aharon Uzan, a government minister between the 1960s and 1980s, and Pini Badash, a former Knesset member.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Regional Statistics". Israel Central Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  2. ^ Carta's Official Guide to Israel and Complete Gazetteer to all Sites in the Holy Land. (3rd edition 1993) Jerusalem, Carta, p. 167, ISBN 965-220-186-3